The life, loves and inane ramblings of a forty-something father of three with a passion for God, family, health, justice, wine, chocolate, Science Fiction, great music, and God's Kingdom.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Fast for Zimbabwe

There is now a growing movement in Southern Africa and around the world saying "enough is enough" in Zimbabwe – and one expression is the weekly fast started by Desmond Tutu, that AIMS to get over 100,000 people to fast for Zimbabwe until the following six demands are met::

South African Development Community (SADC), the African Union (AU) and major political parties in the region to end their policy of "quiet diplomacy" on the issue of Zimbabwe.

An urgent response by the United Nations and the international community to Zimbabwe's humanitarian crisis.

An immediate end to the "abductions, torture and other sinister forms of intimidation against civil society and political activists."

For the SADC to grant refugee status to Zimbabweans fleeing their own country,

For Zimbabwe to lift restrictions on freedoms of expression, association and assembly.

For the transitional authority to be installed if a power-sharing deal can't be reached in Zimbabwe by the end of February.

Whether one has a religious faith or just a belief in humanity, I would urge anyone reading this to join with a growing number to fast every Friday, and make this known as widely as possible. There is no website, although if you are on Twitter do follow http://twitter.com/ZimbabweFast & there are several Facebook Groups – but above all else, the people of Zimbabwe need real change.

As a Christian, I see this fast as an outworking of Isaiah 58 – true fasting and worship bring justice.